Electrical switching apparatus



Jan. 28, 1930.

o. w. MATTHERN ET AL ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l w W 6 o fi s WM m fiw WW Z W Jan. 28, 1930. o. w. MATTHERN ET AL ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OTTO \VILLIAM MATTHERN, OF NEWARK, AND CLAUDE THEODORE SIEBS, OF CRAN- FORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS Application filed October 31, 1828.

This invention relates to electrical switching apparatus, and more particularly to electrical switching apparatus for use in factory testing systems.

In electrical testing systems frequently used in determining the characteristics of electrical apparatus such as employed in telephone exchange equipment during its manufacture, it is frequently desirable that a plurality of circuits be simultaneously disconnected in a rapid and efiicient manner.

An object of the invention is to provide an electrical connection which can be easily and quickly connected with and disconnected from the source of current supply.

In accordance with the general features of the invention there is provided in one embodiment thereof an electrical switching apparatus comprising a plurality of electrical conducting plugs adapted to be forced into contact with conducting springs which can be simultaneously forced out of contact therewith by insulated plungers engaging the springs and operated by depressing a wall of the housing in which the plungers are mounted, or by a bail connected to a common operating member for the plunger-s.

A clear understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational, sectional view of an electrical plug connector and jack embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partially in section, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational, sectional view of another form of the connector and ack, and

Fig. at is an end view, partly in section, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail in which like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures, there is disclosed a support 10 such as a work fence to the underside of which is attached a unit comprising a horizontal row of electrical connector plugs 11 electrically insulated from each other, from the left end (Fig. 1) of which project metal conducting portions 12. The support 10 has attached to the left end Fig. 1) a three Serial No. 316,156.

sided metal receptacle 13 for receiving a housing 14 slideable therewithin. Inside of the housing 1 1 are mounted a plurality of electrical jacks 15 adapted to receive the conducting portions 12 of the plugs through apertures 18 in the right-hand end portion of the jack housing. These jacks 15 have spring connecting portions 19 which are adapted to clamp over the ends of the plugs 12, as shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose of making electrical contact therewith. Fig. 1 shows how the ends 12 of the plugs .11 may be inserted through the apertures 18 in the jack 15 so that the plug ends 12 will make electrical contact with the spring conductors 19. Through the springs 19 and metal plugs 12 any suitable multiple electrical circuit (not shown), such as one employed in testing electrical apparatus may be completed.

In order that the springs 19 maybe quick ly disconnected from the. plugs, there are provided fibre plungers 20 which are slidably mounted Within the body of the jack mounting so as to abut against the springs 19. The top of the housing 14 is made of flexible material such as sheet metal, the forward end being supported by springs 23, and by dcpressing the top portion and thereby compressing the springs 23 projections 24 extend ing from the top of the housing depress the plungers 20 and force the springs 19 out of contact with'the plugs 12 so that the jacks may be readily removed from contactingengagement with the plugs. When this depressing force is relieved, the housing top resumes its former position due to the springs 23, and the conducting springs 19 assume their former position in contact with the plugs 12, completing an electrical circuit connected therewith. From observing this operation it is obvious that the springs 19 may be easily and quickly disconnected from and connected With theplugs 20, sincea simple depression of the top of the housing the purpose.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, primarily intended for use in an overhead position, there is provided a similar structure to that described above, except that the plungers- 20 are depressed by a bail 25 performs which has its ends secured to a common strip 26 which abuts against the tops of the plungers 20. By pulling down on the bail the strip 26 depresses the plungers 20 and disconnects the jacks from the plugs in the same manner as the depression of the top portion of the housing of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Thus it is seen that there is provided by tli'iis inventi'on a jack connection with a plug Which can be instantly interrupted It is, of course, to be understood that the invention does not pertain alone to the specific disclosure thereof, but extends. throughout the scope defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an. electrical connecting device, a housing, a: plurality of jacks mounted within the housing, plugs adapted to be connected to the jacks, and means for simultaneously disconnecting the jacks from. the plugs.

2. In an. electrical connecting device, a housing, a plurality of acks mounted within the housing, plugs adapted tobe connected tothe jacks, members for disconnecting, the

jacksv from the plugs, and means common to themembersfor effecting their operation.

3;. In. an electrical connecting device, a

housing", a plurality of jacks-mounted therein 30 in arow, plugs adapted to'be connected to the jacks,- each: jack having a spring for making the connection and a plunger for disconnecting the springfrom the jack, and means common to the plungers for effecting their operation.

a. In an electrical connecting device, a housing, a plurality of jacks mounted Within the housing, and plugs adapted to be connected to the acks, a portion of the housing being movable for disconnecting all the jacks front the plugs at one time.

5.. In an electrical connecting device, a housing, aplurality of acks mounted within the housing, plugs adapted to be connected to: the jacks, a spring in each jack normally in contact with a corresponding plug, a depressible housing portion for forcing all of said. springs out of contact with each of the plugs at onetime, and resilient means for returning the housing portion to its normal position.

6. In an electrical connecting device, a housing, a plurality of aclrs mounted Within the housing, a spring in each ack adapted to receive a plug, means mounted in each jack for actuating the spring, and means common to-the last mentioned means for actuating all of the springs at one time.

7. In an electrical connecting device, a housing, a plurality of jacks mounted Within the housing, a spring connected to' each jack adapted to receive a plug, a. plunger mounted: in each jack for actuating the spring, and idepressible member common to the plungers for producing simultaneous operation thereof.

In Witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 16th and 10th days of October, respectively, A. D. 1928.

OTTO WVILLIAM MATTHERN. CLAUDE THEODORE SIEBS. 

